Home Sections

Subscribe Explained Politics India

ENGLISHCities Opinion
| தமிழ் | বাংলা | Entertainment Investigations
മലയാളം | ગુજરાતી | हिंदी | मराठी Lifestyle
| BUSINESSTech V
| बिज़नेस

Newsletters

Tuesday, May 09,

2023
EPAPER TODAY’S
PAPER JOURNALISM OF COURAGE

👑
Karnataka News Premium IPL Health Express UPS
TRENDING Express
Elections Quiz @ ₹100 2023 Specials et al. Spec
ADVERTISEMENT Research

News /  Cities /  Pune /  How a Pune startup, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, is evoking ‘tribal’ instinct for survival across
country

How a Pune startup, inspired by

Mahatma Gandhi, is evoking
‘tribal’ instinct for survival
across country
reCharkha has started a second factory and is tapping into markets across
India and the world but, more importantly, it has formed a community
committed to recycling plastic packets.

Written by Dipanita Nath Follow

Pune | May 9, 2023 10:38 IST
Home Subscribe Explained Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V

What sets reCharkha apart is that its business model is based on Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas of self-
reliance.

Listen to this article

00:00 1x 1.5x 1.8x

A mother of two girls comes into the office-cum-store of the Pune startup
reCharkha: The Ecosocial Tribe on Karve Road with a large bag of packets and
bubble wrap that she has collected for more than a month.

“While I am conscious of not buying plastic and refuse to use plastic bags, a lot of
packaging remains plastic. Our dal, flour, cat food, bread and so on still come in
plastic,” she says. For the last few years, she has been bringing plastic packaging to
reCharkha, whose business model revolves around creating a community that
epicycles and recycles plastic waste until the day the problem no longer exists.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

1 2 accused escape from 2 Life after death: 3 Police seize Rs 3.4 crore
police custody at Pune’s Learning how to in cash from car on Pune
Sassoon Hospital in 2 convince grieving outskirts
weeks, 1 arrested families to save lives by
 donating organs of the
Home Subscribe Explained Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V
dead

reCharkha has earned, in the financial year just ended, Rs 2 crore from manufacturing and retailing a
variety of bags. (Express Photo)

Supplying packaging to reCharkha requires commitment. The plastic packets have

to be cut in a certain way, cleaned and collected without damage so that these can
be used — but many families in this and other cities are walking the distance.
Home Subscribe Explained Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V

“I don’t want to leave my daughters a world covered in plastic,” says the woman.
reCharkha’s stores in Pune and Mumbai receive close to 50 kg of waste monthly
from households, including through couriers.

reCharkha has earned, in the financial year just ended, Rs 2 crore from
manufacturing and retailing a variety of bags, from bottle holders, totes and travel
pouches to beach bags and laptop bags, diary covers, table mats, indoor vertical
planters and cushion covers, among others, from “fabric” woven from strips of
plastic.
Home Subscribe Explained Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V

In 2021-22, the earnings were around Rs one crore. Now that reCharkha’s new unit, in Bhor, is ready to
operate at full steam, the company is looking at more than Rs 3 crore in the next financial year.
(Express Photo)

In 2021-22, the earnings were around Rs one crore. Now that reCharkha’s new unit,
in Bhor, is ready to operate at full steam, the company is looking at more than Rs 3
crore in the next financial year. The company uses every kind of plastic packet
except milk pouches. Ribbons from old audio and video cassettes are given snazzy
forms here.

A 2017-18 Central Pollution Control Board report revealed that India generates 9.4
million tonnes of plastic waste annually, or 26,000 tonnes daily. The country
recycles 5.6 million tonnes annually (15.500 tonnes per day), and 3.8 million tonnes
 annually or 9, 400 tonnes per day, is left uncollected as litter. According to a 2019
Home Subscribe Explained Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V
report by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the country recycles at least 38
per cent more than the global average but notes that “there is a constant increase in
plastic waste generation. One of the reasons for this is that 50 per cent of the plastic
is discarded as waste after single use”.

ADVERTISEMENT

What sets reCharkha apart is that its business model is based on Mahatma Gandhi’s
ideas of self-reliance. A model of the charkha occupies pride of place in the store.
reCharkha employs women at its rural centres in Silvassa and Bhor and uses
charkha and handloom to weave the waste into fabric. The Pune office is also
dominated by women, which includes Amita Deshpande, an IT engineer who
founded the enterprise and is the Director, and Abiramie, a NIFT graduate who
heads the design element.
Abhishek Paranjape, co-founder and COO, and Naresh Khawale, operations
manager, are among the few men here.

“Many rural people migrate towards cities in search of employment and livelihood.
If employment can be generated for them in their own areas, they will not need to
come here. Making women in rural areas independent is very important. It gives
them a huge boost of self-confidence if they can earn a living in their own villages.
This reflects how they raise their children, especially girls,” says Paranjape.

As reCharkha looks to create more impact, it will need solutions to several

challenges. For instance, present attitudes towards upcycled products in India
mean that a branded bag carries more social cachet than one made of plastic waste.
reCharkha has also restricted its e-commerce to its own website and other
 sustainability sites. Platforms such as Amazon, where most people shop, are out of
Home Subscribe Explained Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V
its context. The company is balancing out by presenting its products at exhibitions
and social media but has yet to become a prominent brand. reCharkha plans to go
to different cities so that people come to know about the organisation and become a
part of the tribe, and this will mean more sales.

ALSO READ

Ajit Pawar hits BJP wanted to split 'Iconic' 80-yr-old Two killed in road
back at MNS chief NCP but Sharad building on old mishap at Dive
Raj Thackeray for Pawar's Pune-Mumbai Ghat on Pune
mimicking him masterstroke highway to be Saswad Road
spoiled its game ... flattened, e...

ADVERTISEMENT

“For us, it is not just one sale. Whenever we have a buyer, we communicate to them
how they are supposed to reduce the use of plastic. It is surprising how many
environment-conscious people of all ages and categories are out there. They are
aware of the hazards we are currently facing from climate change and like to flaunt
things made from sustainable methods,” says Paranjape.

First published on: 09-05-2023 at 10:38 IST

Home Subscribe Explained Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V
TAGS: Mahatma Gandhi Pune Start Up

Savor the Best of Asia at THAIFEX-ANUGA ASIA 2023

The Ultimate Foodie Destination
THAIFEX-ANUGA ASIA | Sponsored Learn more

Write Emails like a Pro with This New App

Correct All Grammar Errors and Enhance Your Writing. Start Writing Better and Clearer
Instantly.
QuillBot | Sponsored Try Now

My Son’s Life Is Now Dependent On This Surgery. Help!

I'm a single mother, working day and night to provide for my baby.
Ketto | Sponsored Learn More

Every Indian Should Get This Incredible Rs.1999 Smartwatch

GenFit | Sponsored Learn More

WikiFX review:Is Hantec the best forex broker for new traders?
Check out our in-depth forex guides to learn more about the forex trading industry and
about the best forex brokers.
WikiFX | Sponsored Learn More

Dental Implants: The Process, Cost, and Aftercare

Reduced Risk of Complications: The risk of complications during and after dental implant
treatment is reduced when you choose an experienced specialist. 
Dental Implant | Search Ads | Sponsored Learn More
Home Subscribe Explained Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V
Write Impressive, Native-Level Articles.
QuillBot | Sponsored Try Now

Rahul Gandhi Corners PM Modi On Corruption; Questions,

“What Step Have You Taken To Stop Them?”

Sonam Kapoor’s ‘historic moment’ at King Charles III’s

coronation concert

Volvo XC40 SUV – Meet our compact SUV, for every version of
you | Volvo Cars
Volvo | Sponsored Click Here

Kochi: The price (& size) of these hearing aids might surprise you
Hear.com | Sponsored

Aim To Preserve Capital While Meeting Short-term Investment Goals.

Axis Mutual Fund | Sponsored

Manipur Violence: How The Indian Army Evacuated Civilians From

Violence-Hit Areas
IndianExpress

IPL 2023: Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings share points as
match gets called off due to rain
IndianExpress
Home Subscribe Explained Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V

I'm The Sole Earner, & I Cannot Afford For The Treatment!
My son needs measures worth Rs. 25 lakhs. We can't afford that!
Ketto | Sponsored Learn More

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE BLOG

Manipur News Live Updates: In first

official toll, state govt says 60 lives lost in
violence; Centre tells SC Manipur
'returning to normalcy'
8 mins ago

AP EAMCET Hall Ticket 2023 Live

Updates: Websites to download admit
cards
9 mins ago

Manabadi TS Inter Results 2023 Live

Updates: When will TSBIE declare IPE
Results?
9 mins ago

Delhi News Live Updates Today: Fire

breaks out in cantt area hospital, no
casualties reported so far
29 mins ago
Home Subscribe Explained Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V

Best of Express
CITIES
68 murdered in Maliana, all
accused acquitted 36 years
later, residents ask: So who
killed our families?

CITIES
In appeal, Rahul says was
mistreated, sentenced to
attract disqualification

ENTERTAINMENT
Shahid Kapoor on 20 years
of Ishq Vishk, two decades
in Bollywood: 'I hold on to
the innocence that I started
with'

ENTERTAINMENT
The Kerala Story Day 4 BO:
Sudipto Sen's film does
better than Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi
Ki Jaan, nears Rs 50 crore
mark

TRENDING
Woman asks wedding
photographer for a refund
after divorce: 'Don't need
these pictures now'

TRENDING
This video shows how
Indian moms are master
zero-waste recyclers

SPORTS
Andre Russell reveals mid-
pitch talk with Rinku after
run-out
 SPORTS
HomeBreaking
Subscribe Explained
moves: Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V
Kurukshetra teenager is
crowned India’s B-boying
champion

Kuki-Meitei violence in
Manipur: The wounds of
history

EXPLAINED
Snapshot of Karnataka’s
political economy before
polls

LIFESTYLE mamata
As Mamata Banerjee sets banerjee
fitness goals on a treadmill, fitness
know why cardio exercise is
significant for those over 60

How Artie wants to disrupt

mobile gaming without the
app stores

ADVERTISEMENT

Must Read
SPORTS
Andre Russell reveals mid-
pitch talk with Rinku after
run-out

SPORTS
Breaking moves:
Kurukshetra teenager is
 crowned India’s B-boying
Homechampion
Subscribe Explained Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V

SPORTS
Asia Cup set to be moved
from Pakistan to Sri Lanka

How Artie wants to disrupt

mobile gaming without the
app stores

TECHNOLOGY
Ulaa: Everything you need
to know about Zoho's
Google Chrome rival

TECHNOLOGY
I ditched my TWS for Sony’s
new 'budget' on-ear
headphones

LIFESTYLE mamata
As Mamata Banerjee sets banerjee
fitness goals on a treadmill, fitness
know why cardio exercise is
significant for those over 60

ADVERTISEMENT

Buzzing Now
TRENDING
Woman asks wedding
photographer for a refund
after divorce: 'Don't need
these pictures now'
 TRENDING
HomeThisSubscribe Explained
video shows how Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V
Indian moms are master
zero-waste recyclers

TRENDING
‘I pity the new generation’:
AR Rahman raises concern
on excessive use of AI in
schools

TRENDING
Flight gets delayed after
bees swarm on aeroplane’s
wing, passenger tweets
about what happened next

TRENDING
Ashneer Grover wants
Bandra–Worli Sea Link to
be lit up at night, gives
example of San Francisco
Bay Bridge

MAY 09: LATEST NEWS

Army, Assam Rifles rescue

2,4000 civilians; helicopters,
special forces moved to
India-Myanmar border

IPL 2023, KKR vs PBKS

Emotional Rollercoaster:
Arshdeep’s full tosses in
vain, Varun keeps it simple
& Andre Russell’s game
changing sixes

Ex-DGP Sreekumar seeks

discharge in Gujarat riots
evidence case

Two minor blasts within 30

hours near Golden Temple,
probe launched

Two killed in road mishap

at Dive Ghat on Pune
Saswad Road
 Panama Papers: ED seizes
Homeproperties
Subscribe Explained
worth Rs 41.64 Politics India Cities Opinion Entertainment Investigations Lifestyle Tech V
crore of Zavareh
Poonawalla

Panneerselvam joins hands

with T T V Dhinakaran,
front to take in Sasikala

Twitter to remove inactive

accounts

BMC to deploy food trucks

in Koliwadas

Sliding edible oil prices:

Traders’ body request govt
to step in

ADVERTISEMENT

TOP CATEGORIES

Explained News Political Pulse Latest Opinion Mumbai News

Delhi News Pune News Bangalore News Bollywood News

Health News India News Sports News Lifestyle News

Jobs Mobile & Tabs Tech Reviews Gadgets

Mobile & Tabs Food & Wine Elections 2023 Fitness